Chapter 439: Chapter 439

Hiking wasn’t a difficult thing for Huo Feng and Pu Sangzhi.

Huo Feng enjoyed sports and would often take his friends out for cycling and hiking whenever he had a day off, so hiking was just a trivial matter for him.

Pu Sangzhi also had a healthy lifestyle and maintained a habit of jogging every morning when she was at home, capable of running 1500 meters. Thus, hiking was also a minor matter for her.

Walking from the foot of the mountain to Linggu Temple at the peak was a long journey. With a quick pace, it would take at least an hour and a half; with a slower pace, over two hours was necessary.

Along the way, they would pass two pavilions.

The pavilions were meant for climbers to rest, but they were almost unnecessary for Sangzhi and Huo Feng.

The two of them walked hand in hand up the stairs, and when they passed the first pavilion, Pu Sangzhi asked Huo Feng, "Are you tired? Do you want to sit there and rest? I brought some bread and water."

Huo Feng waved his hand confidently, "That’s a joke, how can this little effort be tiring? You underestimate me too much!"

Pu Sangzhi nodded, "Then let’s keep going."

And so, hand in hand, they continued to climb.

Shortly after encountering the second pavilion, Pu Sangzhi asked him again, "Are you tired? Do you want to sit there and rest? I brought some bread and water... and also, there won’t be any more pavilions after this. If you don’t rest now, we’ll have to go all the way to the top non-stop."

Huo Feng waved his hand confidently again, "That’s a joke, how can this little effort be tiring? You underestimate me too much!"

After saying that, Huo Feng suddenly remembered something, "Hey, maybe you are tired? If you’re tired, let’s rest for a bit, out of respect for the lady."

Pu Sangzhi shook her head, "I’m fine, let’s keep going."

Thus, the two continued to walk hand in hand.

When they finally reached the summit without resting along the way, both were panting and covered in sweat; Huo Feng’s bangs were so wet they stuck onto his forehead in several strands...

"Telling you to rest..."

Pu Sangzhi took out water from her bag and handed it to him, giving him a blaming look, "You don’t seem to have that good of an endurance. Just one trip up, and you’re already exhausted."

Huo Feng took the water she handed him, unscrewed it forcefully and while still breathing heavily, he blamed her, "I’m carrying your bag, alright? You have no right to complain! Your backpack may look small, but it’s so heavy! You crammed four bottles of water in it and didn’t even finish one on the way!"

Pu Sangzhi snatched the just-opened water bottle from Huo Feng and tipped her head back, gulping it down.

Huo Feng patiently waited on the side, watching her finish a big gulp, reached out to take her water for a mutual drink...

But, Pu Sangzhi refused, "There’s more water in the bag, you can open another bottle."

"Hey, can’t I drink from the same bottle as you?" Huo Feng said, somewhat displeased.

"Why would you drink from the same bottle as me? There are more in the bag."

Pu Sangzhi tucked the bottle she had drunk from under her arm, rummaged through her bag, and handed another bottle to Huo Feng, "Drink your own bottle, finish it quickly, so the way down will be easier."

Huo Feng pouted, his displeasure visible for all to see.

"It’s not like I’m asking you to drink my saliva; you won’t even let me drink yours, and it’s not like I find you dirty..."

Murmuring complaints, Huo Feng obediently unscrewed another bottle of water and then tilted his head to drink freely.

Pu Sangzhi saw his emotional state, didn’t argue with him but just quietly curved her lips and also opened the bottle to take a big gulp.

The cool mineral water flowed down his parched throat, and Huo Feng let out a contented sigh.

Indeed, after a bout of exercise, nothing felt more saving than the sweet taste of mineral water!

And so, standing at the temple entrance, the two of them quickly finished off two bottles of water and then composed themselves before walking into Linggu Temple together.

Before stepping into the temple, Pu Sangzhi let go of the hand she was tightly holding with Huo Feng.

Huo Feng reached out to hold her again, but she suddenly pulled away and told him, "This is a holy place of Buddha, no lust, no desires."

Huo Feng gaped in shock: "..."

Do they really have to be ?!

Weren’t they here to seek blessings?

Did Liang Shanbo and Zu Yingtai not hold hands when they came to such a holy place?

Would Buddha care about such trifles?

Excuses! All excuses!

Pu Sangzhi was even denying him tofu now! A completely vegan date!

"Let’s go, let’s go inside."

Pu Sangzhi stepped into Linggu Temple quite comfortably.

Behind her, Huo Feng with a face full of unhappiness, also stepped unwillingly into the temple.

Although today wasn’t a special day, the incense at Linggu Temple was still thriving.

After they entered the temple, the scene before them was a crowd of people packed together, groups of elderly female pilgrims gathered, holding bags, incense, and candles, wandering around the temple, chatting enthusiastically in the pure Rui’an dialect.

It is known throughout China that the Rui’an dialect, also known as the Wenzhou dialect, is a unique language, incomprehensible to non-locals.

Pu Sangzhi, having grown up in Shanghai from a young age, only had a faint impression of the Wenzhou dialect. She was not very good at speaking it and also didn’t understand it particularly well. Read full story at 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑~𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖾~𝖓𝖊𝖙

So, after entering the temple, she called Huo Feng to her side, "Huo Feng, can you ask that auntie where all the incense is sold?"

"Haha, you finally found a use for me, huh!"

Huo Feng, beaming with pride, walked up to her and casually approached a middle-aged woman clad in a green jacket, red shirt, and sporting a burgundy curly perm. He asked in fluent Rui’an dialect, "Sister, where did you get that incense?"

The middle-aged woman looked up at him, clearly captivated by his charming face, and immediately beamed, her features crinkling into a smile. She answered in Rui’an dialect as well: "Over there inside, find the master! You have to buy it!"

Huo Feng nodded politely, "Thanks, sis."

Having found the source, Huo Feng led Pu Sangzhi into the temple’s first hall, where they successfully located the master. They spent 50 yuan on a bunch of sandalwood incense, three candles, and some joss paper.

Of course, Huo Feng was the one who paid.

The temple master told them to light the candles and place them on the outdoor candle stands, the higher the better, and the brighter the flame, the better.

The sandalwood was to be lit in the incense cauldrons behind the temple, with the smoke rising as straight as possible, signifying that one’s wishes would reach the divine.

As for the joss paper, it was to be burnt in a dedicated cauldron, properly folded as an offering to the deities.

Because Huo Feng was sweet-tongued and fluent, the temple master explained everything in great detail, showing a fondness for the two of them.

Afterward, Pu Sangzhi and Huo Feng began to pray devoutly with their newly purchased items.

They first went to a small house outside the front gate designated for candle burning, settling at the central candle stand.

With three candles to share, Pu Sangzhi and Huo Feng discussed how to divide them. Huo Feng said straightforwardly, "Two for you, one for me. I have just one wish, to marry you in the future and live shamelessly happy days together!"

Pu Sangzhi nudged him with her elbow, "This is a sacred place of Buddhism, you shouldn’t speak frivolously!"

Huo Feng pouted, a bit unhappy, "Oh..."

As for the sacred site of Buddhism...

He might have been mistaken for a monk to be...

Huo Feng and Pu Sangzhi started by lighting a candle together, each making their own wishes in their hearts.

Huo Feng prayed silently to Buddha: Oh Buddha, do you see the beautiful woman beside me? My wishes aren’t lofty, I only ask to be able to marry her! Marry her! Marry her!

Pu Sangzhi prayed silently to Buddha: Great compassionate Avalokiteshvara, please hear my plea, let my father return home safely, let my family get through these hard times, reunite us soon, and fill our home with joy.

Huo Feng’s candle lit quickly, whereas Pu Sangzhi struggled to light hers as if a breeze was constantly blowing.

However, it eventually lit.

Because of their admirable height, their burning candles were placed at the very top of the candle stand.

Pu Sangzhi pressed her palms together, bowing sincerely thrice, and Huo Feng, seeing her do so, followed suit.

As they finished bowing and looked up, suddenly a cheerful voice called out next to Huo Feng, "Oh boy, your candle is burning strongly! You will surely achieve what you wish for!"

Huo Feng turned in surprise, seeing the auntie in the red and green outfit with the burgundy perm, "Ah, sis, it’s you!"

Pu Sangzhi, along with Huo Feng, turned her gaze toward the auntie.

The cheerful-looking auntie explained in Rui’an dialect: "Look at this row of candles; with one glance, yours is burning the brightest, indicating you’ll have good fortune this year! You will definitely achieve what you wish for!"

Huo Feng nodded, "Thanks for the tip, sis!"

"Don’t mention it!" The auntie in green waved her hand and walked away after speaking.

After she left, Huo Feng’s mood significantly improved.

"Ah, it feels like I’m going to be lucky this year!"

Huo Feng ruffled his hair and turned to look at Pu Sangzhi, "Sangzhi, did you hear that? I am very lucky!"

Pu Sangzhi replied noncommittally and began to light the third candle.

As Pu Sangzhi lit the third candle, she made a devout wish to Buddha: Great compassionate Avalokiteshvara, please bless me to smoothly get through high school and keep Huo Feng and me going steady, in good health, and academically successful.

This candle lit easily and burned well.

The three candles were placed on the top level of the candle stand, but only the middle one had the weakest flame.

Pu Sangzhi brought her palms together again, bowing deeply thrice, earnestly asking the divine to bless her father.

Seeing her, Huo Feng bowed along, once again praying that he and Pu Sangzhi would live harmoniously and head toward marriage...

At this moment, Huo Feng felt... he and Pu Sangzhi were truly like Liang Shanbo and Zu Yingtai! A perfect match!

Their ending would be good! It would be good!